Winter Mental Health

by Eric Johnson, Manager, Health Hutt

Occasionally everyone feels sad, but the feelings soon pass, lasting only a day or so.

When it last longer and you have some of these symptoms: persistent anxious, sad empty feelings, hopelessness, negative, guilty, helplessness, irritable, restless, loss of interest in hobbies or favorite activities, fatigued, decreased energy, difficulty in concentrating and remembering details, sleep disorders, overeating or loss of appetite, persistent aches and pains, cramps or digestive problems, you could be experiencing depression.

Addressing nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements may help combat depression.

- A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.

- Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil.

- Vitamin C, 500 to 1000 mg.

- Co Q10, 100 to 200 mg.

- 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), 50 mg.

- Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and other species)

- SAMe (s-adenosyl-L-methionine)

- L-theanine, 200 mg. one to three times daily, for nervous system support.

- Melatonin, 2 to 5 mg., one hour before bedtime

- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) standardized extract, 300 mg. two to three times per day, for depression. Check with your health care provider if you are taking prescription medications.

- Kava kava (Piper methysticum) standardized extract, 100 to 250 mg. one to three times daily, as needed for symptoms of stress and anxiety. Talk with your health care provider before taking kava kava if you have an unhealthy liver.

- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) standardized extract, 40 to 80 mg. three times daily, for blood flow and depression.

- Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 to 500 mg. daily, for antioxidant and general health effects. Use caffeine-free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.

- Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) standardized extract, 100 to 600 mg. daily, for antioxidant and anti-stress activity.

Stop in today at Health Hutt for more information and ideas for your health!

To ask about natural remedies or other vitamin supplements phone the Health Hutt closest to you. In Muskegon call (231) 739-1568. Be sure to watch "Forever Young" Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 3:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Comcast Cable 97.

What Type of Filling is Right for Me?

by Monica J. Lakatos, D.D.S., Northshore Dental Associates

There are several choices for dental fillings today. Filling a cavity or repairing a fractured tooth can be done several ways with several different materials.

Some of the materials used are; dental amalgam (silver fillings), composite (white fillings), gold, and porcelain. Restorations can be placed directly the way most fillings are; right into the prepared tooth, or indirectly, made outside the mouth in a lab and then cemented or bonded in place. Indirect restorations that would be familiar to most people are crowns and bridges.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all materials and techniques. Dental amalgam is easy to place and you do not have to have a perfectly dry field in which to place it. It can withstand heavy chewing loads and it is relatively inexpensive. The disadvantages of amalgam include the silver color and the mercury content of the material. (There is a mountain of information regarding mercury use and disposal that is beyond the scope of this article.)

Composite restorations look better but are more technique sensitive. You need to maintain a dry field during placement, which is sometimes next to impossible in the mouth's wet environment. The materials are more expensive and extensive, therefore making composites more costly.

When you look at gold and porcelain, the cost goes even higher. They last longer than composites and amalgams but since they are made outside the mouth, they require the use of lab techs and/or milling machines which drive up the cost. These types of restorations may or may not be covered by insurance.

When a restoration is recommended for a tooth, be sure to weigh all the options before making a decision. Decide what means the most to you; a composite or amalgam may be cheaper initially but will have to be redone sooner. Gold or porcelain will be initially more expensive but can last for decades. Only you can decide what is best for you.

Monica J. Lakatos, D.D.S., at Northshore Dental Associates, 1179 Whitehall Road in North Muskegon, can be reached at (231) 744-6100.

Women Face Challenges to Health

by Laurie Semlow, Semlow Chiropractic

Women face many challenges in their daily life.

More women than ever before are working outside the home and trying to find a balance between work, home and kids. The most common challenges faced by women are poor food choices for themselves and their families, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise, stressful lifestyles and sleep deprivation.

These challenges are causing women to become rundown and sick, which in turn can eventually lead to various lifestyle diseases (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.) We are finding, however, over 70% of disease is preventable through a combination of good nutrition and exercise. Imagine the difference in your homes and workplaces if we all took a few simple steps towards better health!

There are essentially Seven Simple Steps to Good Health:

- Visit your Chiropractor regularly for adjustments.

- Feed your family the right carbohydrates and fats.

- Feed your family "grow" foods - nine to 13 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables.

- Get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

- Drink half your body weight in ounces of water (150 lbs. = 75 oz. of water/day)

- Leave work at work! Take advantage of family time. Take a walk, play board games, read together or watch a family movie.

- Use Juice Plus to bridge the gap between the fresh fruits and vegetables your diet is lacking.

By following these simple steps, your family is destined to be healthier and happier in 2009!

For more information on the Seven Simple Steps to Good Health, contact Laurie and Scott Semlow of the Creating Wellness Center at Semlow Chiropractic, 5353 Grand Haven Road in Norton Shores, visit www.semlowjuiceplus.com or call (231) 798-WELL.